Most vertebrates enjoy the same five tastes as humans do: sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami. Dolphins and whales, though, are an exception. According to new research, these animals have lost their ability to perceive any flavors save for salty, ScienceNOW reports.
Scientists analyzed the genomes of 15 different cetacean species, including baleen whales, sperm whales and bottlenose dolphins. Most of the genes responsible for taste sensations, ScienceNOW says, were riddled with mutations and useless for producing the proteins necessary for taste.
Only the genes connected to salty flavors remained functional.
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